Important Update on Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Points for Job Offers
As of March 25th, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially removed the bonus points previously awarded for job offers under the Express Entry system. This change will impact both current candidates in the pool and future applicants, potentially altering many pathways to permanent residency (PR) in Canada.
What’s Changing?
Previously, candidates in the Express Entry pool could earn up to 200 additional CRS points for senior management positions and 50 points for other skilled job offers, which often played a significant role in boosting a candidate’s score. These bonus points helped improve a candidate’s rank, increasing the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. However, as of March 25, 2025, these bonus points are no longer awarded.
This change is significant, as it levels the playing field for candidates without job offers, who now must compete based on other factors such as education, work experience, and language proficiency.
What’s Staying the Same?
While the removal of job offer points may be a significant shift, job offers still hold importance for certain immigration programs, including:
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): A valid job offer remains necessary for eligibility.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Job offers may still help meet minimum eligibility criteria.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Some PNP streams may continue to require or benefit from job offers, though they won’t provide additional CRS points.
Why the Change?
While the exact reasoning behind the removal of job offer points hasn’t been fully outlined, several potential factors could be at play. It’s possible that IRCC wants to prioritize candidates based on core attributes such as language skills, education, and work experience, rather than employer connections. Concerns around the authenticity of job offers and Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) might also be a factor, though no official link has been made to fraud prevention.
Additionally, shifting economic conditions and fluctuations in the demand for skilled workers across various sectors may have contributed to this decision.
How Will This Affect Current and Future Candidates?
- Current Candidates: Those already in the Express Entry pool who were relying on job offer points may see a decrease in their CRS scores, impacting their chances of receiving an ITA in upcoming draws. Candidates should expect to see updates to their scores, but IRCC has advised waiting up to a week before seeking clarification on any discrepancies.
- Future Applicants: The change has made the Express Entry system more competitive. Applicants who were previously relying on job offer points will now need to enhance other aspects of their profiles, such as language proficiency, Canadian work experience, or education, to remain competitive.
For candidates who have already received an ITA or are in the process of applying for permanent residence, this change does not affect their applications, and their scores remain the same.
How Can Candidates Improve Their CRS Scores?
With the removal of job offer bonus points, here are some steps candidates can take to enhance their CRS scores:
- Boost language proficiency: Improving your language scores can make a significant difference.
- Pursue additional education: Completing new qualifications can raise your education points.
- Gain Canadian work experience: This can provide up to 200 points.
- Consider Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): A nomination can add 600 points to your CRS score.
- Leverage a spouse’s profile: A partner’s qualifications can contribute up to 40 points.
What’s Next?
The removal of bonus points for job offers is a key change that will reshape how candidates approach their Express Entry profiles. While the long-term effects of this change remain to be seen, applicants will need to adapt by focusing on the other key elements of their profiles to stay competitive in the pool.
If you are currently in the Express Entry pool or planning to apply, take the time to review your profile and focus on strengthening your language skills, education, work experience, or PNP opportunities to maximize your chances for success under the new system.
Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving Canadian immigration landscape.